St. John’s junior season begins tonight

All eight teams returning to vie for championship

They may have a new sponsor, but the defending champion St. John’s Hickman Chrysler Caps look to be the team to beat again as the Kent St. John’s Junior Hockey League starts a new season tonight.

“There are some tweaks, of course, because there’s always a turnover of some players in junior and we’ve lost some good players, but a lot of our big leaders are still here,” said Caps coach Paul Whittle.

“If anything,” Whittle added, “we may be a little quicker, a little crisper this season.”

The Caps defeated the Mount Pearl junior Blades (now the Dakota Wild Juniors) 5-2 in Game 7 to claim the 2012 Kent St. John’s Junior Hockey League championship.

“We’re looking pretty solid — top to bottom — this year,” said Whittle. “We expect to be at the top, but I expect a couple of the other teams to get a little better, too.”

The Caps are particularly strong on defence with returnees Patrick Parfrey, Roger Pender and Ryan Walsh and in net with Scott Bray.

The same two teams will open the new campaign eight o’clock tonight in a much-anticipated rematch between the rivals at Twin Rinks.

Other games on tap opening night of the league’s 33rd year feature the Trinity Placentia Flyers against C.B.R. Renegades at Robert French Memorial Stadium at 8:10 p.m., while the Conception Bay North Stars take on the Avalon Capitals at the Goulds Arena at 8:30 p.m.

Who’s gone: Brian Hogan, Aaron Schwartz, Lucas Dearing, James Blair, Matthew McGrath. Jared King has work commitments, but could return. A few others are too busy with school commitments and Brandon Noseworthy has given up hockey to focus on soccer.

Newcomers: Nick Wagner, a forward, was picked up in the draft (fifth overall) and Andrew Oates.

Quote: “We took a major hit in losing overagers Boland and Gale to the senior (NLSHL) league. We’ve got a small organization and those two players can’t be replaced,” said assistant coach Jonathan Carter, a hint of frustration in his voice.

Carter figures his team will be “around the middle of the pack” in the eight-team league standings this season.

C.B.R. Assante Wealth

Management Renegades

2011-12 record (placing): 6-21-1 (eighth)

Coaches: Brad Smith, Brian Tilley

Home rink/starting times: Robert French Memorial Stadium, 8:10 p.m., Saturday

Newcomers: Jordan Wells and Brian Hurley, Trevor Forward, Drake Dower, Kyle Bown and Alexander David. Andrew Walsh, a 19 year old defenseman from Walkerton, Ont., was chosen first overall in the league’s September draft.